5 Features To Make A Landscape Design More Interesting
Looking at a landscape design can leave you wondering how to make it more interesting. Fortunately, there are many features that will add some excitement.
A landscaper can suggest you try the following features.
An Entrance
One of the easiest ways to make a landscape more exciting is to create an entrance. You can install an arbor at the front of the sidewalk and cover it in vining plants, for example. If you have hedges, the entryway could just be an opening in the bushes. A gate on a fence can also serve this role. The goal is to provide a starting point where a viewer can begin scanning the landscape.
Walkways and Paths
Anything that guides people through the landscape will be beneficial both practically and visually. You don't need a straight path unless you're going for something formal or hypermodern. In fact, a meandering walkway can invite someone to get lost in the landscape. Different turns in the path can feature distinct groups of plants, creating a sense of sectionality.
More than Flowers
When it comes to landscape design, flowers are the charismatic features that excite people. There is nothing wrong with having lots of beautiful flowers, but plants can be just as elegant. For example, hostas come in many patterns and can add visual appeal while providing ground cover in spots that flowers often hate. Big leaves are always fun, but you should also look at ferns, thistles, mosses, and other plant forms that will break things up.
Contrasts
Contrasting colors and themes can be especially beautiful. If you have lots of dark purple flowers, for example, consider throwing in some bright yellow ones to create contrast. Human-made features against natural backgrounds also are good in this role. Placing a small stone bench along a path in a very green area, for example, can make the space less monotonous.
The form is also a great source of contrasts. If you have lots of big and round leafy plants, add a few narrow and spiky plants to break things up visually.
Transitions
The feeling of moving from one part of a landscape to another can be quite fun. For example, you might use the narrow areas along the side of your house to transition from the front yard to the backyard. A person could walk along the sidewalk and feel the change as they start to see different plants and structures. Many yards have different plant zones, too, so this is a good excuse to take advantage of microclimates.
